Buying a house is a big step in life (although arguably not for everyone). Most likely, when you decide to buy a home, you'll need to finance your purchase. You'll be confronted with several types of mortgages to choose from. The most common type of mortgage is the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. However, don't just assume that this one is the best kind for you.
The Big Bad Balloon
Hopefully your . . .

Your home is likely the single largest expense in your budget. If you don't already own a home, you've likely thought about the possibility. You've probably heard a lot about how buying a home is the best decision you'll ever make. You might already be saving up for a down-payment, which is great!
However, before you take the plunge into home ownership, consider both the pros and cons. The . . .

I've been tossing around the idea of installing solar panels for several years. Just the idea of harnessing natural resources has an appeal to it. But it's a huge investment, and I was doubtful that the payoff would really match a payoff in traditional investments, so I kept kicking the can down the road. Finally, this past year I got serious about scratching my itch. I figured I had to weigh the . . .

Dave Ramsey likes to recommend buying a house with no mortgage. As in, 100% cash. When I first read this in Ramsey's book, 'Total Money Makover,' I thought this was the dumbest suggestion I'd ever read. Because everybody knows that renting is just throwing money away. So, after a year of renting, my wife and I bought a house... with a mortgage. That was 5 years ago, so now I have 20/20 hindsight . . .

Reviews.com is a great resource that researches and reviews everything under the sun, including a range of financial products. It's a great place to start when contemplating any major (or minor) life changes.
Below is an excerpt of an article that originally appeared on Reviews.com. For the complete version visit: http://www.reviews.com/mortgage-companies/
Of course rates are going to matter . . .